News for Restaurants in Orange County, CA February 2009 Archive

The Signature Kitchen at Macy's South Coast Plaza Home Store has opened. Known collectively as the Signature Kitchen, the restaurant features the flavors and dishes of Cat Cora's CCQ, Marcus Samuelsson's Marc Burger and La Brea Bakery co-founder Nancy Silverton. The Signature Kitchen at Macy's South Coast Plaza Home Store, Level One, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-708-3333.

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Charlie Palmer's Happy Hour In Costa Mesa, Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza has a luxe new happy hour, which takes place every day 4 p.m.-7 p.m., and again from 7 p.m.-12 a.m., in the lounge. All wines by the glass, beer and cocktails are half-price. With the most expensive glass of Cabernet at $40, it's a good deal. Cocktails like the Cougar Cosmo usually run $12. The singular food special is Kobe beef sliders and fries for $9. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-352-2525.

Kitchen Tours at The Island Hotel Chef Bill Bracken and his behind-the-house kitchen gang at The Island Hotel Newport Beach invites guests to a hands-on experience. Starting Saturdays at 11 a.m. (pending enough participants), chef Bracken and his army of sous chefs and line cooks start by serving up chilled champagne or wines with some of Bracken's signature appetizers. Next, guests learn cooking techniques like sous vide cookery and the art of melon carving. Finally, pastry chef Michael Owens gives a demonstration on making his Manjari obsession, peanut butter dominoes and moon pie. The "kitchen experience" costs $95 per person or $150 for both the experience and dinner at the resort's Palm Terrace restaurant. Space is limited and advanced reservations are required. The Island Hotel Newport Beach, The Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-760-4920.